Abstract: An automatic control system for a zonal ink metering device displaces ink metering elements toward a fountain roller until contact of the individual elements with the fountain roller is detected to establish absolute reference positions. Then the ink metering elements are displaced away from the fountain roller by respective predetermined amounts to obtain a desired ink profile. Once the desired ink profile is obtained, continuous printing is started. During continuous printing, the ink profile is maintained by periodically and sequentially reciprocating one individual ink metering element after another into contact with the fountain roller to reset their respective reference positions. Preferably, contact of the individual ink metering elements with the fountain roller is detected by a pair of electrical contacts in the adjusting devices for the ink metering elements.

Abstract: A device for registering a sheet against a side stop on the feed table of a printing press which includes a suction head flushly recessed in the table and reciprocated for lateral shifting movement, a draft of suction being applied to the head timed with the lateral shifting movement so that the sheet is affirmatively shifted into contact with the side stop. Subsequently, a puff of air is applied to the head timed with the completion of the shifting movement to free the sheet from the head in readiness for removal of the sheet from the table. An auxiliary nozzle recessed in the table in a position adjacent the head is permanently connected to a source of air pressure and arranged approximately parallel to the surface of the table for producing a moving film of air under the sheet in the direction of the side stop to ensure that the sheet remains against the side stop when the suction is no longer effective and until the sheet is removed from the table.